IOWA – A large storm system swept through the state on Wednesday, bringing with it multiple rounds of rain and warnings. The National Weather Service reported five instances of wind gusts above severe limits and multiple tornado warnings were issued throughout the day for an unusual late October weather pattern. Many Iowa communities received more than two inches of rain. This comes as nearly the entire state has been in drought for several weeks after one of the driest Septembers and now Octobers on record. IOWA – Iowa’s election chief is defending a decision to challenge nearly 2,000 voters and their citizenship status. The Des Moines Register reports Secretary of State Paul Pate accused that group due to previous reports to the Iowa DOT that they were noncitizens, and sent letter to all 99 county auditors to dispute their ability to vote. The county auditors have identified several of those individuals have become naturalized since. Pate claims those who were challenged were reviewed before taking them off of voter rolls, while civil rights groups allege the move is politically motivated. SIOUX CENTER – An Iowa man has journeyed on a culinary journey that has brought him to buffets across the Midwest. KCAU reports Jason Halkias has spent the last ten years traveling in 14 states to take in every Pizza Ranch location in the U.S. Halkias finished that work Tuesday in Sioux Center, where he was greated by staff with a goodie bag and his favorite slice of pizza.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography. According to public court documents, law enforcement received multiple CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that 23-year-old Cody Andrew Long had uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement searched Long’s cell phone and a computer located at Long’s Iowa City residence which revealed approximately 100 images and 25 videos. After completing his term of imprisonment, Long will be required to serve an eight-year term of supervised release. Long was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. IOWA – Widespread showers and storms are likely Wednesday into Wednesday night. This includes the potential for severe weather during the afternoon and evening hours, according to the National Weather Service, particularly over southern Iowa. Severe weather threats include a few tornadoes, strong winds, and hail. Uncertainty remains with the extent of the tornado threat. Higher risk levels may move further north across Iowa border. Those with outdoor plans should pay close attention for changing weather conditions and have a sheltering plan in place. Many Iowa communities could see between 1-3″ of rainfall by Thursday morning as well.IOWA – Central Iowa communities will be trick-or-treating with the rest of the state this year due to the anticipated forecast. The Associated Press says the City of Des Moines is postponing Beggar’s Night — typically held the day before Halloween. Their report indicated this was the first time since 1938 that Des Moines residents will be handing out and receiving candy on the Halloween holiday. Several other central Iowa communities have also moved their events to Thursday.

IOWA – Row crop harvest was ahead of normal as Iowa’s farmers had nearly a full seven days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 27, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans, completing fall tillage, and applying fall fertilizer. Topsoil moisture condition rated 43 percent very short, 42 percent short, and 15 percent adequate. Corn harvest for grain reached 84 percent statewide, almost a week ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the five-year average. South central Iowa farmers still have 34 percent of their corn for grain remaining to harvest, while farmers have already harvested 91 percent in north central Iowa. IOWA – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the death of a middle-aged eastern Iowa resident from Lassa fever. The individual had recently returned from travel to West Africa, where it is believed they contracted the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to confirm the diagnosis of Lassa fever. Initial testing was done at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory on Monday. University of Iowa Health Care is where individual was receiving care, and the CDC and local public health partners are working to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient, out of an abundance of caution, for monitoring. Though very rare, the virus can be transmitted from human to human contact through blood or bodily fluids. Approximately, 80% of those that contract Lassa fever have mild or no symptoms at all.

DES MOINES REGISTER – A person injured after being hit by a car last week has now died. The Des Moines Register reports several agencies responded to an incident on the afternoon of October 21st, where they found 67-year-old Sheila Kay Robert of Des Moines in critical condition. The Des Moines Police Department says she died on Friday. Police say a 2009 Chevorlet pickup struck the woman and that the investigation is ongoing. SCOTT COUNTY – A Scott County jury found an Iowa doctor liable for the death of a man four years ago. KCRG-TV reports that LeClaire resident Steve Schwarz underwent surgery on his neck, but died a few weeks later. A jury awarded a $1.6 million judgement to the family after finding Dr. Michelle Sprengelmeyer responsible, finding she failed to follow an order for Schwarz to receive antibiotics after the procedure. IOWA CITY – The Iowa Hawkeyes made an in-game switch at quarterback that seemed to fuel a 40-14 football victory over Northwestern on Saturday. On the same day WBNA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and the two-time National Runner Up basketball team returned to Kinnick Stadium, the Hawkeyes rallied behind Brendan Sullivan to earn their fifth win of the fall season. The Iowa State Cyclones were on a bye this weekend and remain the #11 team in the nation, according to the Associated Press.

IOWA – United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal, Southern District of Iowa, announced Friday that Assistant United States Attorney Amy Licht will lead the efforts of her office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5th.  AUSA Licht has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the Southern District of Iowa, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  IOWA – Senator Chuck Grassley announced $97 million in federal funding will be awarded to Iowa railroads and manufacturers to replace outdated transportation infrastructure, construct new bridges and support Iowa’s locomotive industry. The U.S. Department of Transportation will administer the awards through its CRISI program.  Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway will receive $19,040,000 for railroad tie replacements along 56 miles of main line track from Cedar Rapids to Hills. Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC will receive $29,883,200 for the design and construction of the Colfax and De Soto bridges in Iowa and Rock River and Atkinson bridges in Illinois. The new Colfax and De Soto bridges will support the rail shipment of large wind energy components. East Erie Commercial Rail will receive $48,412,512 for locomotive remanufacturing. The remanufactured diesel locomotives are made through sourcing components from facilities in Cedar Rapids and then reassembled in facilities in Albia, employing nearly 100 Iowans.